As we age, we can turn to Mary,

Turning to Mary

As we age, we can turn to Mary, the mother of Jesus, the mother of the Church, to grow in affection for her and to learn from her, as rely upon her for help.  Her Magnificat is a marvelous prayer for our journey.  She can teach us to say, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord,” in whatever way in our lives those words will be full of grace.  And, as St. Ignatius prayed to her, we can ask her, “Mary, place me with your Son.”  So much anxiety and fear, so much doubt and anger can be softened and healed with Mary’s help.

With Mary’s assistance, let us pray for the graces we need in the journey ahead of us, and let us pray for each other, especially for those who are struggling the most through the last years of their lives.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.

-The Magnificat – the ICEL translation